Fire Chief

I am honored to introduce your Salem Fire Department, an organization of 154 dedicated men and women serving the City of Salem and its citizens, workers, students, visitors, and businesses.

Established on December 4, 1857, the Fire Department has a proud history of protecting and caring for Oregon’s capital city. Our mission statement, “Protecting Lives, Property, and the Environment placing Safety and Service above all,” guides the actions of our employees each and every day.

The highly-trained and professional men and women who serve as Salem’s firefighters deliver an “all-hazards” response to over 20,000 incidents annually, including fires, medical emergencies, car accidents, airplane crashes, hazardous materials releases, water rescues, and building collapses. Strategically-located fire stations are staffed by firefighters, many of whom are cross-trained as paramedics. These stations also serve as a community safety resource and are available for blood pressure checks and firehouse tours.

Serving Oregon’s capital city, the Salem Fire Department is acutely familiar with its duty to be fiscally responsible with the public’s valued tax dollars. In response, we have instituted several efficiencies and innovations, including a public/private partnership with Falck Northwest Ambulance to provide cost-effective ambulance transport services in Salem. In addition, all of our Fire Department facilities have been EarthWise certified since 2009 as a part of the city’s ongoing efforts to achieve the Sustainable Cities Initiative.

Looking to the future, I recognize that challenges lie ahead for the Salem Fire Department. Like many cities in our great country, our population is aging, becoming more diverse, and struggling with a slow recovering economy. However, through the strong governance of Salem’s elected officials and the ingenuity of our firefighters, I am confident that creative and collaborative solutions will prevail to the benefit of the citizens we serve.

I trust you will find this website helpful and informative whether you are looking for contact information or interested in a career in fire service and want to learn more. We are here to serve you.